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Buccaneers Top Vikings: 36-17

The Buccaneers will leave the Metrodome with one more win to their name after defeating the Minnesota Vikings 36-17. The Buccaneers put their final stamp on the game after CB Leonard Johnson pulled down an interception which led to a couple Buccaneer plays in Victory formation.

The Vikings’ QB Christian Ponder ended the day with 251 passing yards on 19 completions, one touchdown and an interception. 117 of those passing yards came in the last two drives of the night while the Vikings were trying to play a late game of catch-up.

The sole statistical standout on the Minnesota side was RB Adrian Peterson. On just 15 carries, Peterson ran for 123 yards. His longest play went 64 yards for a score in the third quarter.

Percy Harvin led the team in receiving with seven catches for 90 yards. He was on the receiving end of Ponder’s touchdown pass. Michael Jenkins ended the game with 78 yards and four receptions.

Buccaneer QB Josh Freeman had his third consecutive game with three touchdown passes, a Buccaneer record. He completed 19 of his 36 passes for 262 yards. RB Doug Martin, WR Mike Williams and FB Erik Lorig were on the receiving end of the touchdown passes.

WR Mike Williams finished the game with 68 yards on six receptions. TE Dallas Clark had three receptions for 40 yards while WR Vincent Jackson followed up his 216-yard week with a quiet 40-yard performance.

But it was RB Doug Martin who held the spotlight on this night. Martin ran the ball 29 times for 135 yards and a score. Adding to that, he caught three passes for 79 yards and a 64-yard touchdown on a screen play. Martin’s 214 yards is the 5th best single game total in Buccaneer history.

Defensively, the Buccaneers forced three turnovers. Michael Bennett stripped WR Jerome Simpson on Ponder’s first completion of the game and the ball was picked up by LB Mason Foster. Later in the half, RB Adrian Peterson lost the ball to Ronde Barber and LB Quincy Black was able to fall on the ball. These turnovers led to 10 Buccaneer points and helped swing the game in Tampa Bay’s favor. To close the game, Leonard Johnson intercepted a pass in the red zone.

The Buccaneers will travel to Oakland to face the Raiders in Week Nine action next Sunday.